Frank Lampard set to extend Manchester City loan - and face Chelsea again

True Blue: Lampard struck a crucial late equaliser against his former club on Sunday Getty

Frank Lampard could come back to haunt Chelsea in the title race for a second time this season because Manchester City are planning to extend his loan from New York City until February.

Lampard, who is Chelsea’s all-time leading goal-scorer after spending 13 years with the Blues, struck a crucial late equaliser for new club Manchester City against his former side on Sunday.

It prevented Jose Mourinho’s side from moving eight points clear of the defending champions in the table and now the veteran midfielder is also set to be involved in the re-match at Stamford Bridge on January 31.

City's loan agreement with New York City was set to expire in the new year, but they want cover for Yaya Toure while he is away at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Lampard was due to report for pre-season training with the MLS outfit in January. However, it is a franchise of Manchester City so extending the deal between the two clubs isn’t a problem.

The view is that the 36-year-old would benefit more from getting extra game-time under Manuel Pellegrini than going through some early practice drills with his new team-mates.

He would still have plenty of time to make the trip across the Atlantic before New York City's season begins in March.

The Chelsea game at the end of January could give Lampard the opportunity to bid a proper farewell to Blues supporters in west London having only announced he was leaving the club after the end of last campaign.

1/10
Frank Lampard - 209 goals

2/10
Bobby Tambling - 202 goals in 370 appearances

3/10
Kerry Dixon - 193 goals in 421 appearances

4/10
Didier Drogba - 157 goals in 341 appearances

5/10
Roy Bentley - 150 goals in 367 appearances

6/10
Peter Osgood - 150 goals in 380 appearances

7/10
Jimmy Greaves - 132 goals in 169 appearances

8/10
George Mills - 125 goals in 229 appearances

9/10
George Hilsdon - 108 goals in 164 appearances

10/10
Barry Bridges - 93 goals in 205 appearances

Pellegrini claimed no decision has been made yet and said: “I can't answer about that in this moment. Frank will stay until January because until January he doesn't have anything to do in the United States because they are not working.

"In January we will see what happens here and make a decision. It is not a problem at this moment."